From June 6th to 8th, the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark will once again host one of the largest and most authentic Portuguese cultural celebrations outside of Portugal: Portugal Day by SolMar. Now in its 28th edition, the event is expected to welcome over 150,000 people over three days filled with music, traditional cuisine, and meaningful community initiatives.
Organized by the Nobre Foundation Corp., the festival is the result of the vision of António Nobre, founder of the iconic SolMar restaurant, who has transformed nostalgia into legacy for nearly three decades. “Keeping this tradition alive for so long is a daily challenge, but it’s also what drives us. We want to grow, evolve, and offer even more to our community — not only music and food, but also education, support, and a sense of belonging,” says Nobre.
One of the festival’s most impressive features is the renowned SolMar Restaurant Food Court, prepared months in advance to serve the public with excellence and comfort. The structure includes tented areas with seating for up to 4,000 people simultaneously, offering a covered, safe, and welcoming environment for families. Throughout the weekend, an average of 75,000 meals are served, featuring traditional dishes such as grilled sardines, bifanas, BBQ chicken, fried eels, pastéis de nata, Portuguese-style funnel cakes, and refreshing sangria — a true parade of Portuguese flavors.
The cultural lineup features performers from Portugal, including Bombocas, Daniel Sousa, Moda Nova, and Rancho Dança na Eira, along with local talents such as Polly & Juliana Vitor, Banda 69 Graus, and DJ Luis Oliveira, offering an intergenerational celebration of Portuguese identity.
On Sunday, June 8, guests can also enjoy the live screening of the UEFA Nations League Final on a big screen set up along Niagara Street — an exciting opportunity to unite football and heritage in a festive atmosphere.
Beyond entertainment, Portugal Day by SolMar is committed to social impact and community development. The Nobre Foundation will award scholarships to Jacqueline Larrosa-Serans and Roberto Torres, two outstanding students from East Side High School. The festival also features hands-on art activities in partnership with the Newark Museum of Art, cultural initiatives with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, literacy support with Reading Partners, and multilingual legal and immigration resources provided by the New Jersey Office for New Americans.
Admission is free and open to the public. The festival is supported by the City of Newark, the Newark City Council, and sponsors including Super Bock, Concrete Systems, Teddy Cars, ABRA Dental, Wine Enterprises, Joia Restaurant, BCB Bank, Exit Realty Lucky, and others. Official media coverage is provided by SPT Television, SIC Internacional, and Rádio Clube Português.
Portugal Day by SolMar is more than a festival — it is a living tribute to the strength and spirit of Portuguese culture abroad, a celebration of resilience, hospitality, and the power of tradition when combined with community care.
Newark Festival Celebrates 28 Years of Portuguese-American Tradition with Seating for 4,000 Guests and Over 75,000 Meals Served
Organized by the Nobre Foundation Corp., the festival is the result of the vision of António Nobre, founder of the iconic SolMar restaurant, who has transformed nostalgia into legacy for nearly three decades. “Keeping this tradition alive for so long is a daily challenge, but it’s also what drives us. We want to grow, evolve, and offer even more to our community — not only music and food, but also education, support, and a sense of belonging,” says Nobre.
One of the festival’s most impressive features is the renowned SolMar Restaurant Food Court, prepared months in advance to serve the public with excellence and comfort. The structure includes tented areas with seating for up to 4,000 people simultaneously, offering a covered, safe, and welcoming environment for families. Throughout the weekend, an average of 75,000 meals are served, featuring traditional dishes such as grilled sardines, bifanas, BBQ chicken, fried eels, pastéis de nata, Portuguese-style funnel cakes, and refreshing sangria — a true parade of Portuguese flavors.
The cultural lineup features performers from Portugal, including Bombocas, Daniel Sousa, Moda Nova, and Rancho Dança na Eira, along with local talents such as Polly & Juliana Vitor, Banda 69 Graus, and DJ Luis Oliveira, offering an intergenerational celebration of Portuguese identity.
On Sunday, June 8, guests can also enjoy the live screening of the UEFA Nations League Final on a big screen set up along Niagara Street — an exciting opportunity to unite football and heritage in a festive atmosphere.
Beyond entertainment, Portugal Day by SolMar is committed to social impact and community development. The Nobre Foundation will award scholarships to Jacqueline Larrosa-Serans and Roberto Torres, two outstanding students from East Side High School. The festival also features hands-on art activities in partnership with the Newark Museum of Art, cultural initiatives with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, literacy support with Reading Partners, and multilingual legal and immigration resources provided by the New Jersey Office for New Americans.
Admission is free and open to the public. The festival is supported by the City of Newark, the Newark City Council, and sponsors including Super Bock, Concrete Systems, Teddy Cars, ABRA Dental, Wine Enterprises, Joia Restaurant, BCB Bank, Exit Realty Lucky, and others. Official media coverage is provided by SPT Television, SIC Internacional, and Rádio Clube Português.
Portugal Day by SolMar is more than a festival — it is a living tribute to the strength and spirit of Portuguese culture abroad, a celebration of resilience, hospitality, and the power of tradition when combined with community care.
For more information, photos, and press materials, visit: www.portugaldaybysolmar.com